Disposable lunch box

ABSTRACT

A lunch box includes a pair of end walls, top and bottom sides, and front and back sides cooperating with each other for transforming the lunch box between open and closed positions. The top side includes a plurality of foldable portions for overlapping and locking to each other. One of the foldable portions preferably has an edge having a plurality of slits therealong. Another foldable portion has an edge including a plurality of fastening members extending therefrom. The fastening members are preferably removably positionable into the slits. One foldable portion has an opposite edge including a first handle portion extending therefrom. Another foldable portion has an opening sufficiently wide for receiving the first handle portion therethrough when the lunch box is folded to a closed position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Technical Field

[0005] This invention relates to a disposable lunch box and, more particularly, to a disposable lunch box having foldable portions that are releasably lockable to transform the lunch box between open and closed positions.

[0006] 2. Prior Art

[0007] Lunch boxes are commonly used to carry food and beverage to be consumed ordinarily at lunch time by the user, and they are widely used by school children for such purpose. Heretofore, lunch boxes have been relatively odd in shape and size so that they may not be placed within other carrying cases such as a briefcase or a school bag. Thus, the lunch box even when not in use or after the food and beverage have been consumed, becomes an extra non-use item which has to be hand-carried by the user. Such an additional hand-carrying item is particularly objectionable to active school children.

[0008] The problem everyone faces who has ever carried a lunch box is what to do with it after lunch. Because a lunch box is easy to remember before lunch, does not mean that it is rememberable after lunch. In fact, once lunch is over and the lunch box is stored out of the way, it is frequently forgotten and often left until the next day, forcing the child or worker to carry a bag lunch.

[0009] Accordingly, there exists a need for a foldable lunch box that can be thrown away after meal consumption.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a foldable lunch box that can be thrown away after meal consumption. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, are provided by a lunch box including a substantially planar front side and a substantially planar back side oppositely disposed therefrom and a pair of end walls oppositely disposed and connected to the front and back sides for forming a generally rectangular shape. The lunch box further includes a top side connected to the back side and disposed between the pair of end walls and a bottom side connected to the front and back sides. The bottom side is oppositely spaced from the top side and disposed between the pair of end walls.

[0011] The pair of end walls, the top and bottom sides, and the front and back sides preferably cooperate with each other for transforming the lunch box between open and closed positions. One of the front side and the top side has at least one foldable edge for transforming the lunch box between open and closed positions. The top side may further include a plurality of foldable portions for overlapping and locking to each other. One of the foldable portions preferably has an edge having a plurality of slits therealong.

[0012] Another foldable portion has an edge including a plurality of fastening members extending therefrom. The fastening members are preferably removably positionable into the slits. The fastening members each have outer edge portions integral therewith and for assisting to maintain the first and second top side portions locked together. One foldable portion may have an opposite edge including a first handle portion extending therefrom. Another foldable portion preferably has an opening sufficiently wide for receiving the first handle portion therethrough when the other foldable portion is folded thereunder.

[0013] The opening preferably has a second handle portion extending therefrom and the first and second handle portions are preferably movable to substantially upright positions and spaced from each other when the lunch box is at a closed position. The bottom side preferably includes a plurality of foldable portions for locking to each other. The first and second handle portions each have an opening for allowing the fingers of a user to pass therethrough. The plurality of fastening members are disposed adjacent the front side and within the cavity of the lunch box after being inserted into the plurality of slits, respectively.

[0014] The lunch box preferably further includes a substantially water-proof layer attached within the cavity of the lunch box. The water-proof layer is preferably formed from wax material and the lunch box is preferably formed from a disposable material. The disposable material may be cardboard. One embodiment of the lunch box may include a single handle attached to the top side. Alternately, the lunch box may include a shoulder strap attached to the opposed end walls and extending above the top side. The strap is preferably formed from corn starch.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lunch box may include a plurality of fastening members for assisting to maintain the lunch box at a closed position. The plurality of fastening members are preferably formed from Velcro. In addition, the front side may include a plurality of edge portions connected thereto and for overlapping a portion of the pair of end walls and a portion of the top side when the front side is moved to a closed position. A plurality of fastening members may also be affixed to the edge portions for assisting to maintain the front side at a closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0016] The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a disposable lunch box at a closed position, in accordance with the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lunch box of FIG. 1 at an open position;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rear side of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of a lunch box at a closed position, in accordance with the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the lunch box of FIG. 5 at an open position; and

[0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing yet another embodiment of a lunch box at a closed position, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime and double prime notations are used to indicate similar elements in alternate embodiments.

[0025] The lunch box of the present invention is referred to generally in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 10 and is shown at a closed position. It is noted that the lunch box 10 is foldable between open and closed positions. The lunch box 10 includes a front side 11, an end wall 12, and top side 13 as clearly shown to be substantially planar. The first handle portion 15 and the second handle portion 16 extend outwardly from top side 13 when the lunch box 10 is at a closed position.

[0026] Now referring to FIG. 2, the lunch box 10 is shown at its open position. Top side 13 includes a plurality of the foldable portions 17, 18. Such foldable portions extend outwardly from the back side 26 and the front side 11, respectively. The foldable portions 17, 18 extend along the length of the lunch box 10 between end walls 12, 27. Each top side portion 17, 18 has a respective handle portion 15, 16 attached thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. In particular, the first handle portion 15 is attached to top side portion 17 and has a pair of opposed ends connected to the spaced edges of an opening 23 formed generally medially of the first top side portion 17. The opening 23 has a generally rectangular shape and is sufficiently large to receive the second handle portion 16 therethrough after the first top side portion 17 is folded over the second top side portion 18 as clearly shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] Furthermore, the first top side portion 17 includes a plurality of fastening members 21, 22 spaced along the top edge thereof and extending outwardly therefrom. The fastening members 21, 22 are positionable into corresponding slits 19, 20 formed along an edge of the second top side portion 18. Accordingly, when the first top side portion 17 is folded over the second top side portion 18, the second handle portion 16 is positionable through opening 23. Moreover, the fastening members 21, 22 are each removably insertable and lockable into slits 19, 20 to maintain the top side 13 of the lunch box 10 at a secured and closed position. Advantageously, fastening members 21, 22 each have a pair of outwardly extending edges for engaging the edges of slits 19, 20 and for assisting to maintain said first top side portion 17 at an overlapping position with said second top side portion 18.

[0028] Now referring to FIG. 3, the back side 26 of the lunch box 10 is shown to be spaced from the front side 11 by a distance substantially equal to the width of the end walls 12, 27. Accordingly, the end walls 12, 27 define the width of the cavity 31 of the lunch box 10. As can be further appreciated by FIG. 3, the first handle portion 15 is movable between flat and upright positions with the upright position being substantially perpendicular to the first top side portion 17.

[0029] The lunch box further includes a bottom side 36 including a first bottom side portion 24 and a second bottom side portion 25. Such portions 24, 25 cooperate with each other for locking and closing the bottom side 36 of the lunch box 10. In particular, the first bottom side portion 24 includes a pair of end portions extending downwardly beyond the middle portion thereof, and the second bottom side portion 25 includes a middle portion extending downwardly from the end portions thereof. Accordingly, such a middle portion of the second bottom side portion 25 cooperates with the end portions of the first bottom side portion 24 so that same can be maintained at a locked position during operating conditions.

[0030] Now referring to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 is shown. As can be seen, first and second handle portions 15, 16 each have an opening 28, 29 defined between the bottom edge of each respective handle portion 15, 16 and the first top side portion 17. Such openings 28, 29 are preferably designed to allow a user to pass his/her fingers therethrough for maintaining a secure grip about the handle portions 15, 16.

[0031] Moreover, the fastening members 21, 22 are disposed adjacent the interior of the front side 11 and within the cavity 11 of the lunch box 10 after they are inserted into slits 19, 20, respectively. The cavity 31 of the lunch box is lined with a generally water-proof barrier 30 so that liquids cannot pass through the lunch box 10. Such a water-proof barrier 30 may be preferably formed from wax or wax-like material, as readily known to the person of ordinary skill in the art. Of course, other suitable materials may be used for preventing liquids from passing through the sidewalls of the lunch box 10.

[0032] Now referring to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment 10′ of the lunch box is illustrated. The lunch box 10′ includes a handle 14 similar to one of the first and second handle portions 15, 16 of lunch box 10. Such a handle 14 is connected to the top side 13′ of the lunch box 10′ and extends upwardly therefrom. An opening 23′ is formed between the handle 14 and the top side 13′ for allowing an user to maintain a secure grip about the handle 14. Moreover, lunch box 10′ includes a front side 11′ having a plurality of edge portions 32, 33 and 34. Such edge portions are attach to the perimeter of front side 11′ and extend therefrom so that when the front side 11′ is moved to a closed position, the edge portions 32, 33 and 34 lay adjacent to and exterior of the end walls 11′, 27′ and top side 13′.

[0033] Lunch box 10′ further includes a plurality of fastening members 35 spaced from each other and attached to the exterior sides of end walls 12′, 27′ and top side 13′. Further, a plurality of corresponding fastening members 35 are attached to the interior side of edge portions 32, 33 and 34 so that when the front side 11′ is moved to a closed position, the aligned plurality of fastening members 35 attached to each other, respectively. Accordingly, such fastening members 35 help maintain the lunch box 10′ at a closed position.

[0034] Finally, referring to FIG. 7, yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown at 10″ double prime wherein a shoulder strap 37 having opposed ends connected to end walls 12″ and 27″ is provided. Such a shoulder strap 37 is sufficiently long so that a user can place the shoulder strap 37 around his/her shoulder as conventionally known.

[0035] The present invention is preferably made from disposable material such as cardboard or other suitable materials well-known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Such disposable material is preferably sufficiently stiff and able to support edible items in the cavity of the lunch box 10. The fastening members 35 are preferably made from Velcro material or other suitable material well-known in the art. The shoulder strap 37 is preferably made from corn starch or other suitable materials as readily know to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0036] While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A lunch box comprising: a substantially planar front side and a substantially planar back side oppositely disposed therefrom; a pair of end walls oppositely disposed and connected to said front and back sides for forming a generally rectangular shape; a top side connected to said back side and disposed between said pair of end walls; a bottom side connected to said front and back sides, said bottom side being oppositely spaced from said top side and disposed between said pair of end walls; said pair of end walls, said top and bottom sides, and said front and back sides cooperating with each other for transforming said lunch box between open and closed positions; one of said front side and said top side has at least one foldable edge for transforming said lunch box between open and closed positions.
 2. The lunch box of claim 1, wherein said top side includes a plurality of foldable portions for overlapping and locking to each other.
 3. The lunch box of claim 2, wherein one of said foldable portions has an edge having a plurality of slits therealong; another of said foldable portions has an edge including a plurality of fastening members extending therefrom, said fastening members being removably positionable into said slits.
 4. The lunch box of claim 3, wherein said one foldable portion has an opposite edge including a first handle portion extending therefrom; said another foldable portion having an opening sufficiently wide for receiving said first handle portion therethrough when said another foldable portion is folded over said one foldable portion.
 5. The lunch box of claim 4, wherein the opening has a second handle portion extending therefrom, said first and second handle portions being movable to substantially upright positions and being spaced from each other when said lunch box is at a closed position.
 6. The lunch box of claim 1, wherein said bottom side includes a plurality of foldable portions for locking to each other.
 7. The lunch box of claim 5, wherein said first and second handle portions each have an opening for allowing the fingers of a user to pass therethrough.
 8. The lunch box of claim 3, wherein said plurality of fastening members are disposed adjacent said front side and within the cavity of said lunch box after being inserted into said plurality of slits, respectively.
 9. The lunch box of claim 1, further including a substantially water-proof layer attached within the cavity of said lunch box.
 10. The lunch box of claim 9, wherein said water-proof layer is formed from wax material.
 11. The lunch box of claim 1, wherein said lunch box is formed from a disposable material.
 12. The lunch box of claim 11, wherein said disposable material is cardboard.
 13. The lunch box of claim 1, further including a handle attached to said top side.
 14. The lunch box of claim 1, further including a shoulder strap attached to said opposed end walls and extending above said top side.
 15. The lunch box of claim 1, further including a plurality of fastening members for assisting to maintain said lunch box at a closed position.
 16. The lunch box of claim 15, wherein said plurality of fastening members are formed from Velcro.
 17. The lunch box of claim 1, wherein said front side includes a plurality of edge portions connected thereto and for overlapping a portion of said pair of end walls and a portion of said top side when said front side is moved to a closed position.
 18. The lunch box of claim 17, further including a plurality of fastening members affixed to said edge portions for assisting to maintain said front side at a closed position.
 19. The lunch box of claim 3, wherein said fastening members each have outer edge portions integral therewith and for assisting to maintain said first and second top side portions locked. 